EP0579068B1 - Lampenfassungseinheit, inbesondere für Kühlschränke und dergleichen - Google Patents

Lampenfassungseinheit, inbesondere für Kühlschränke und dergleichen Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0579068B1
EP0579068B1 EP19930110667 EP93110667A EP0579068B1 EP 0579068 B1 EP0579068 B1 EP 0579068B1 EP 19930110667 EP19930110667 EP 19930110667 EP 93110667 A EP93110667 A EP 93110667A EP 0579068 B1 EP0579068 B1 EP 0579068B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
unit
lampholder
lamp
movable member
refrigerator
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP19930110667
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0579068A1 (de
Inventor
Luigi c/o Whirlpool Europe S.r.l. Costa
Roberto c/o Whirlpool Europe S.r.l. Malnati
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Whirlpool Europe BV
Original Assignee
Whirlpool Europe BV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Whirlpool Europe BV filed Critical Whirlpool Europe BV
Publication of EP0579068A1 publication Critical patent/EP0579068A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0579068B1 publication Critical patent/EP0579068B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D27/00—Lighting arrangements

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a lampholder unit for a refrigerator or the like, according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • a lampholder unit for a refrigerator or the like, according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • Such a unit is known, for example, from GB-A-2 221 524 and comprises a pushbutton arranged to cooperate with a usual door of said refrigerator, and a seat for a usual lamp, the lighting or non-lighting of the lamp being determined by the cooperation between said pushbutton and the door.
  • Known lampholder units comprise a plurality of parts which are fitted together on mounting (or immediately prior to mounting) such units in the refrigerator cabinet.
  • a particular known lampholder unit comprises a first part with which the lamp is associated, a plurality of connector elements for connection to a usual lamp power line, and a further part associated with the pushbutton.
  • This second part is generally connected to the first (which generally comprises said connectors) such that the pushbutton, in known manner, enables the lamp to be powered when the refrigerator door is opened, but prevents lighting when the door is closed.
  • This lampholder unit has however various drawbacks.
  • the plurality of component parts of said unit can be a source of problems related both to probable errors by the assembling operator and to a reduced reliability of the unit because of possible faults which can arise in its individual component parts.
  • GB-A-2 221 524 discloses a light-bulb holding device comprising a one-piece body containing the seat for the lamp and comprising a further seat for a movable member associated with the push-button and carrying a contact element.
  • This known lamholder needs an electric circuit to link the lamp with the connectors connected to power lines.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a lampholder unit of the aforesaid type which is of simpler construction than similar known units and is of lower cost than these.
  • a further object is to provide a unit of the said type which is of high reliability and has a smaller number of component parts than known lampholder units, with consequent reduction in the number of moulds or production machines required for these components.
  • a lampholder unit is indicated overall by 1 and comprises a body 2 presenting a substantially flat part 3 with which there is associated a hollow cylindrical part 4 opening onto a face 5 of a flat wall 6 perpendicular to the flat part 3.
  • the cylindrical part is threaded in known manner and is able to receive a usual lamp 8.
  • a seat 10 for removably receiving an electrical connector 11 connected to a usual electrical power line via a corresponding cable 12.
  • the seat 10 opens onto the outer surface 13 of the part 4 and into the hollow interior thereof.
  • the part 3 of the body 2 comprises a lateral wall 16 extending both upperly and lowerly from said part. This latter also has a raised rear edge 18 rising from that end of said part distant from that comprising the wall 6.
  • a pushbutton 21 At that end of said edge 18 in proximity to the wall 16 there is positioned one end 20 of a pushbutton 21.
  • This pushbutton is arranged to cooperate with a usual refrigerator door to assume two working positions based on this cooperation. Specifically, when the door is closed the pushbutton 21 has a portion 23 inserted into a seat 24 located below the flat part 3 and delimited by the wall 16. In the second working position corresponding to the refrigerator door open, the portion 23 is partly extracted from said seat 24.
  • the pushbutton passes from one position to the other by rotating about its end 20, which is retained in contact with the body 2 by the refrigerator cabinet in known manner if the body is fixed to the cabinet, or by another element (as described hereinafter) interposed between the lampholder unit and the refrigerator cabinet.
  • the end 20 therefore acts as a hinge for the rotation of said pushbutton.
  • the portion 23 of this latter is associated, for example by adhesive or by sliding, with one end 25 of a part 26 of an element 27 movable in a corresponding seat in the body 2 of the unit 1.
  • the portion 23 can also be formed integrally with said element 25.
  • the part 26 comprises a portion 29 arranged to slide along a guide 30 provided in the body 2 of the unit 1 on the flat part 3.
  • the guide 30 is rectilinear, hence the element 27 moves linearly and rectilinearly relative to said flat part 3.
  • the element 27 comprises a bar-shaped part 32 on which there is arranged a compression spring 33 having one end 34 resting against the part 26 of said element and its other end 35 resting against a stop member 36 associated with the flat part 3 of the body 2 of the unit 1.
  • said stop member 36 comprises two parallel arms 36A and 36B defining a passage 38 through which the bar-shaped part 32 penetrates.
  • This latter slides on a support 40 provided on a base element 41 (said support forming an integral part of the lampholder unit) with which the body 2 of the unit 1 is associated, and which comprises a further support wall 42 for the pushbutton 21.
  • the support wall 42 comprises a seat 43 for said pushbutton, which comprises an edge 44 which abuts against said wall.
  • the base element 41 supports the pushbutton and the entire body 2 of the unit 1, and secures said pushbutton to the refrigerator cabinet in any known manner.
  • the element 27 also comprises fins 27A and 27B for support on raised portions 45 of the base element 1.
  • the bar-shaped part 32 of the element 27 comprises a seat 46 removably containing a member 47 with its longitudinal axis W transverse to the axis K of said part 32.
  • This member has an annular recess 48 lying between two end portions 49 arranged to cooperate with a connector 50 removably inserted into a seat 51 in the body 2 of the unit 1 and with a connection member 54 removably inserted into another seat 55 in said body.
  • the connector 50 is connected to the power line via an electric cable 57, and the member 54 comprises an arm 58 which makes contact with a usual metal part 59 of the lamp 8.
  • This member has a portion 60 arranged to cooperate with one of the ends 49 of the transverse member 47 associated with the element 27.
  • the member 54 is firstly fitted into its seat 55 and fixed therein for example by bending the lug 54B.
  • the spring 33 is then placed on the bar-shaped part 32 of the element 27, with which the pushbutton 21 is now associated, and the entire assembly is inserted into the corresponding seat in the body 2 of the unit 1.
  • said body 2 is fixed to the base element 41, as a result of which the end of the pushbutton 21 is retained in the seats 42 of the base element 41.
  • This fixing is achieved for example by adhesive, by usual snap-fitting elements provided on the parts, or by utilizing the hot plastic deformation of the body 1 and element 41, both preferably of plastics construction by moulding.
  • the pushbutton 21 remains associated with the body 2.
  • the connectors 11 and 50 are then inserted into their seats 10 and 51, and the entire unit is mounted in known manner in the refrigerator cabinet.
  • the lampholder unit is therefore obtained easily and rapidly, with low construction time and cost.
  • the pushbutton 21 and the bar-shaped part 32 act as a two-way pushbutton.
  • the member 47 is positioned in an elongate hole 70, to allow it to move as required against springs 71 and 72 acting on it and against a stop member 36 and a similar member (not shown) rigid with the element 41 respectively.
  • the member 47 is arranged to cooperate with both the connector 50 and the portion 60 of the member 54, and with a further pair of connectors 76 and 77.
  • the connector 76 is connected to the connector 50, both acting as "neutral" in the refrigerator electrical circuit to which unit 1 is connected.
  • the connector 77 is connected to an electrical line 78 terminating in any user item, such as the usual fan 3 in an air circulation refrigerator. Hence in the two working positions the member 47 powers the lamp 8 and operates the user item respectively.
  • the connectors 76 and 77 are secured to the unit 1 by providing suitable seats (not shown) in the part 3.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)

Claims (10)

  1. Lampenfassungseinheit für einen Kühlschrank oder dgl. mit einer Taste (21), die derart angeordnet ist, daß sie mit der Kühlschranktür zusammenwirkt, mit einer Fassung (4) für eine Lampe (8), deren Einschalten oder Ausschalten durch das Zusammenwirken der Taste und der Tür bestimmt wird, und mit einem einstückigen Körper (2), der eine Fassung (4) für die Lampe (8) und eine weitere Fassung für ein bewegbares Glied (27) aufweist, das mit der Taste (21) verbunden ist und ein Kontaktelement (47) trägt, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß im Körper (2) Fassungen (51, 10) vorgesehen sind, in die ein erster Steckkontakt (50) und ein zweiter Steckkontakt (11) entfernbar gesteckt sind, die beide mit Stromversorgungsleitungen verbunden sind, und daß ein am Körper (2) befestigtes und mit der Lampe (8) zusammenwirkendes Einfügeteil (54) über das von dem bewegbaren Glied (27) getragene Element (47) mit dem ersten Steckkontakt (50) derart verbindbar ist, daß die Lampe (8) mit elektrischem Strom versorgt wird, wenn die Kühlschranktür geöffnet ist, wobei der zweite Steckkontakt (11) derart angeordnet ist, daß er unmittelbar mit der Lampe (8) zusammenwirkt.
  2. Lampenfassungseinheit nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das mit der Taste (21) verbundene, bewegbare Glied (27) mit einem elastischen Element (33) zusammenwirkt und mit dem Körper (2) der Einheit (1) entfernbar verbunden ist.
  3. Lampenfassungseinheit nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das elastische Element eine Druckfeder (33) ist, die auf einem stangenförmigen Teil (32) des bewegbaren Glieds (27) aufgeschoben ist.
  4. Lampenfassungseinheit nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der stangenförmige Teil (32) zwischen nebeneinanderliegenden Halteelementen (36A, 36B) angeordnet ist, die eine Führung (38) für diesen Teil (32) bilden, daß das eine Ende (35) der Druckfeder (33) auf die Halteelemente (36A, 36B) wirkt, daß das andere Ende (34) dieser Druckfeder auf einen Teil (26) des bewegbaren Glieds (27) wirkt, mit dem es verbunden ist, und daß der stangenförmige Teil (32) ein Lager (46) für das mit dem ersten Steckkontakt (50) zusammenwirkende Kontaktelement (47) aufweist.
  5. Lampenfassungseinheit nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das bewegbare Glied (27) einen Teil (29) aufweist, der innerhalb einer Führung (30) im Körper (2) der Lampenfassungseinheit (1) bewegbar ist.
  6. Lampenfassungseinheit nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das bewegbare Glied (27) Teil der Taste (21) ist.
  7. Lampenfassungseinheit nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Taste (21) einen Teil (20) aufweist, um den sie sich während der Benutzung dreht und der auf den Körper (2) der Lampenfassungseinheit (1) wirkt.
  8. Lampenfassungseinheit nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß ihr Körper (2) mit einem Basiselement (41) verbunden ist, das den Körper im Kühlschrankgehäuse trägt.
  9. Lampenfassungseinheit nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Einfügeteil (54), das mit dem mit dem Körper (2) der Lampenfassungseinheit (1) verbundenen, ersten, elektrischen Steckkontakt (50) zusammenwirkt, einen mit der Lampe (8) in Kontakt stehenden Teil (58) aufweist.
  10. Lampenfassungseinheit nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das mit dem bewegbaren Glied (27) verbundene Kontaktelement (47) derart angeordnet ist, daß es mit anderen elektrischen Steckkontakten (76, 77) zusammenwirkt, die mit einer elektrischen Stromversorgungsleitung verbunden sind, die ein beliebiges, im Kühlschrank vorhandenes Benutzerteil mit Strom versorgt, und daß das bewegbare Glied (27) als Umschalter arbeitet, der den Strom von der Lampe (8) auf das Benutzerteil umschaltet.
EP19930110667 1992-07-13 1993-07-05 Lampenfassungseinheit, inbesondere für Kühlschränke und dergleichen Expired - Lifetime EP0579068B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT000691 IT226765Z2 (it) 1992-07-13 1992-07-13 Gruppo portalampada in particolare per refrigeratori e similari
ITMI920691U 1992-07-13

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0579068A1 EP0579068A1 (de) 1994-01-19
EP0579068B1 true EP0579068B1 (de) 1996-05-15

Family

ID=11362580

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19930110667 Expired - Lifetime EP0579068B1 (de) 1992-07-13 1993-07-05 Lampenfassungseinheit, inbesondere für Kühlschränke und dergleichen

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0579068B1 (de)
DE (1) DE69302632T2 (de)
IT (1) IT226765Z2 (de)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT1267720B1 (it) * 1994-05-20 1997-02-07 Zanussi Elettrodomestici Apparecchio frigorifero con porta-lampada perfezionato
IT1283843B1 (it) * 1996-08-27 1998-04-30 Whirpool Europ S R L Dispositivo di illuminazione per congelatori a pozzo e similii

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2104164A (en) * 1934-12-28 1938-01-04 Ranco Inc Refrigerator door lamp switch
IT214575Z2 (it) * 1988-06-03 1990-05-09 Itw Fastex Italia Spa Dispositivo portalampada per elettrodomestici

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0579068A1 (de) 1994-01-19
IT226765Z2 (it) 1997-07-01
ITMI920691V0 (it) 1992-07-13
DE69302632D1 (de) 1996-06-20
DE69302632T2 (de) 1996-11-28
ITMI920691U1 (it) 1994-01-13

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